Direction-targeted

Direction-targeting is a targeting paradigm in League of Legends that specifies that abilities using it require an input direction to be used. The term skillshot is often used to refer to projectile-based direction-targeted abilities, such as Ezreal'sMystic Shot.

Where this targeting type is differentiated from ground-targeting is that these abilities interact with the entire length of the ability's range, rather than a specified destination within range. Most direction-targeted abilities have effects the travel along a line of effect (in the case of projectiles and dashes), and these may interact with each applicable unit hit (referred to as pass-through effects) or with only the first unit hit (collision effects). However, some direction-targeted abilities will affect the entire area at once (predominantly cones). A direction-targeted ability does not need to originate from the caster, as with the case of Orianna'sCommand: Attack. Whether or not a direction-targeted ability deals area of effect (such as Lissandra'sIce Shard) does not affect the targeting classification.

Direction-targeted abilities are divided into subsets based on the scope of the area of effect they occupy. Almost all direction-targeted abilities in League of Legends are of a linear (rectangular, the ones often referred to as skill shots) or conic shape with the only known exceptions being Diana'sCrescent Strike, which is curved, and Aatrox'sBlades of Torment, which is reverse-conic. A few abilities may be combinations of both where two or more linear skillshots are combined to form a cone, such as Ashe'sVolley.